Stepanova, Korstin Honoured In Russia

Russia internationals Ilona Korstin and Maria Stepanova are role models for young girls in their country

Basketball stars Ilona Korstin and Maria Stepanova added yet another accolade to their illustrious curriculum vitae by being voted in the Top 20 most successful active female athletes in Russia.

Korstin took 9th place while Maria Stepanova came in 12th in the poll which was topped by Olympic champion pole-vaulter Yelena Ishinbayeva, biathlon athlete Olga Zaitseva and tennis player Maria Sharapova.

The poll, which was a combination of public and expert voting, was prepared by the sports news portal R-Sport, Russia's news agency RIA Novosti, radio station Aftoradio and the newspaper Moskovskiy Komsomolets.

The nominees included Russian athletes who have won prestigious international titles but are also role models, drawing attention to their sport and influencing the public's opinions on things like active lifestyle and fashion.